Orlando, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces a criminal complaint charging Walter Brown (41, Kissimmee) with conspiracy to knowingly and without lawful authority produce identification documents in violation of federal law. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. Brown made his initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Karla R. Spaulding.

According to the complaint, Brown was a Customer Service Representative (“CSR”) in the Office of the Osceola County Tax Collector. Brown’s primary duty was to issue driver licenses and identification cards. Surveillance camera footage from the Osceola County Tax Collector’s office located at 2501 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee, Florida, showed that Brown issued Florida Driver Licenses or identification cards based upon fraudulent and fraudulently obtained identity documents. While most customers were observed following the regular queue process, for example, providing their personal information to a receptionist; obtaining a number; waiting in the lobby area; and proceeding to the counter as directed by the queue system administrator, customers presenting fraudulent and fraudulently obtained documents were seen proceeding directly to Brown’s counter, bypassing the queue system entirely.

In his capacity as a CSR, the complaint alleges that Brown has issued at least 200 Florida driver licenses and identification cards to those who may not be legally entitled to the documents. In some cases, Brown fraudulently issued driver licenses and identification cards in multiple identities, to the same person. The Osceola County Tax Collector’s Office terminated Brown from his employment today.

A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Services, and the Florida Highway Patrol Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence. It will be prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Myrna Amelia Mesa.